No GM in the NHL is perfect. No move they could make is guaranteed to help the team. However, you can have a good track record of things working out and that is what the New Jersey Devils have with Tom Fitzgerald.
This 2023-24 season hasn't been as easygoing as some expected before the year. There have been a lot of injuries, some goaltending woes, and inconsistent play from the team as a whole.
You can be sure that Tom Fitzgerald will be all in on doing what he can to make this team better going forward. With the trade deadline coming up, he is sure to be active as long as the team is still in the race through all the injuries.
Fitzgerald has added studs like Timo Meier and Tyler Toffoli amongst others over his tenure in addition to being a very good drafting GM.
The New Jersey Devils have been great under Tom Fitzgerald's leadership
High-end players who were already there before his arrival also started to take big steps under his leadership as well.
Some people don't like that Lindy Ruff is still coaching these players but that is a topic for another day. Fitzgerald doesn't make quick decisions like that without careful consideration.
On Tuesday, we found out that he is being rewarded for his recent success. New Jersey and Fitzgerald have a multi-year extension in place to keep him as the team's General Manager for a long time.
In addition to being the GM, they also named him to be the President of Hockey Operations. This is a big role for him to have.
It is a good move for the Devils. He has helped this team turn the rebuild around when they were headed in the wrong direction before his arrival.
There may be some struggles in this current season but they are developing young players while trying to win at the same time. The long-term success of the club is the main focus and it is a very bright future.
With all of the young talent that this team has, and even more on the way via their prospect pool, Fitzgerald is the right guy to make sure they have what they need to continue taking steps.